Rs 1.13 lakh seized from candidate in Erode district

Flying squad sleuths on Wednesday reportedly seized over one lakh rupees from an independent candidate during a vehicle check in Erode district.

According to sources, a team of officials who were involved in vehicle check at Thiginarai near Thalavadi, intercepted a car and performed a check. They reportedly found Rs 1.13 lakh in the car.

Inquiries with three inmates in the vehicle revealed that one of them, Arokiasamy from Erahanalli village, was contesting for the post of Thiginarai panchayat president as an independent candidate.

With the Model Code of Conduct in place, the State Election Commission has restricted carrying cash amounting to more than Rs 50,000. Also, Arokiasamy could not furnish proper documents for the cash in his possession.

Following this, the Election wing officials seized the money and handed it over to Thalavadi union election officer Prem Kumar. He then deposited the money in the Treasury office in Sathyamangalam.

With just a day to go for the rural body polls, the flying squad sleuths have enhanced vigil and vehicle checks to prevent candidates from bribing voters. It was just a day ago on Monday that the flying squad team seized around 920 kilograms of rice stocked in a temple to be distributed for voters in Tirupur district.